Valeri Nichushkin Regains Form with the Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche are seeing a resurgence in form from their standout winger, Valeri Nichushkin. Nichushkin has effectively reclaimed his place on the power play unit as well as at even strength, positioning himself alongside notable teammates Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, and Cale Makar. This amalgamation of talent signals exciting times for the Avalanche as they look to capitalize on their potent offensive lineup in the coming fixtures.
As they gear up for a challenging four-game schedule, the Avalanche will face off against the Buffalo Sabres, the Carolina Hurricanes, and the Detroit Red Wings. The Sabres and Hurricanes, currently ranked among the bottom ten teams in terms of power-play opportunities allowed, offer Nichushkin and his fellow power play specialists a prime chance to exploit these weaknesses. Meanwhile, the Red Wings, who are struggling with their penalty kill, topping the league in power-play goals allowed, present another opportunity for the Avalanche to inflict further damage.
Rising Stars in Fantasy Leagues
Beyond Nichushkin’s resurgence, the fantasy hockey world has kept its eyes on a few players making notable strides. Kent Johnson of the Columbus Blue Jackets is riding high on a five-game point streak. Since making his return from an injury, he has averaged an impressive 2.82 fantasy points per game, helping the Blue Jackets secure points in each of their last six outings.
Dante Fabbro, another Blue Jacket, has similarly carved out a strong presence, averaging 2.71 fantasy points over his past seven games. In the same vein, Macklin Celebrini from the San Jose Sharks has been a standout performer, averaging 3.35 fantasy points in his last six games. His growing influence in fantasy leagues is reflected in the increased rostership, jumping from 57% to 66% in just one week.
Matthew Knies Returns for the Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs were buoyed by the return of Matthew Knies over the weekend as they head into a busy schedule with games on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. Their goaltender, Joseph Woll, continues to be a key player, delivering a solid performance with 4.2 fantasy points per game, indicative of his reliability between the posts for the Leafs.
Goalscorers to Watch: Rangers, Senators, and Oilers
Recent performances from Rangers’ Will Cuylle, Senators’ Adam Gaudette, and Oilers’ Kasperi Kapanen have sparked interest both on the ice and in fantasy circles. Cuylle has found the net in eight of his last ten games, showcasing his knack for finding goal-scoring opportunities. Ottawa's Adam Gaudette has built a reputation as a formidable goalscorer this season with 12 goals so far, marking him as a consistent offensive threat.
Meanwhile, in Edmonton, Kasperi Kapanen has positioned himself in enviable company, playing alongside superstar Connor McDavid at even strength. This partnership not only boosts Kapanen’s chances to climb the scoring charts but also enhances Edmonton’s overall offensive dynamics, posing serious challenges for their opponents.
The convergence of these rising talents and returning stars paints a vibrant picture for the upcoming weeks of NHL action. Whether on the list of standout performances or as part of an anticipating team schedule, these players continue to shape the evolving narratives of the season, both on the rink and in the fantasy hockey universe.